Mclaren MP4-12C

The British race engineering firm McLaren has finally released its long-anticipated new supercar. Called the MP4-12C, it features the latest advances in automotive technology from McLaren’s Formula 1 team. The MP4-12c is an extremely light full carbon fiber car, being significantly lighter than the Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Under the hood sits a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine producing around 600 horsepower and 433 lb-ft of torque, offering what McLaren claims to be the highest horsepower to CO2 ratio of any internal combustion engine on the market. The bespoke mill features a flat-plane crank, dry sump and can rev up to 8,500 rpm, though 80% of the torque is said to be available from as low as 2,000 rpm. That ought to be good for a 0-60 time in the low threes and a 200+ mph top end. But the real trick system in the MP4-12C is the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, where Pre-Cog lets the driver load up the next gear by half-squeezing the paddle and then engaging with gunshot speed. The car is going to retail for about $265,000 and they are planning on building 1000 units in 2011